The Story Of My Live Edge Table

A Live Edge table is where the original gnarled shape of the edge of a tree beneath the bark is not sawed off but carefully preserved to give the table edge a raw “unfinished” look. The natural wood grain, variations, knots, and holes are emphasized and not seen as imperfections. Often “bow-tie” accents are added in a contrasting colored wood to add interest.

Here’s the story of my Live Edge table. Wanting something different, I searched for a Live Edge table - thinking I found one, I was sorely disappointed to find out that it cost $25,000. Another search found a “nice”, but too small for what I wanted one at Room + Board in the $2,300 range. Better price, but not the right dimension…. Then I remembered my new “Instagram friend” Mark Dubac, Windwood LLC, who was constantly posting videos of him cutting tree slabs and turning them into excellent table and cutting board creations. I also found out that he was the clarinet player for the Oregon Symphony (note to those of you who don’t know me well - I am a huge Oregon Symphony Fan); I was intrigued. So early January 2020, I connected with Mark to see if he could make something for us. On January 25, 2020, we went to Mark’s backyard home sawmill and found three beautiful slabs of Big Leaf Maple that were the perfect length to create that table I had been dreaming of at a price point we could afford!

My Big Leaf Maple Slabs

Originally I had wanted a walnut table, but these lovelies were just the perfect size for the table I wanted. Our compromise was to add Walnut Wood “Bow Ties” to create contrast and decoration.

I also custom selected the leg style, material, and color by researching “table leg” vendors. I finally decided on anodized steel in a reversed “cowbell” shape in a painted brushed copper finish.

Here is Mark

at his home

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He was recently featured on the nighttime TV News - My table made it into the clip! We’re both famous now…

Sadly just a month after we ordered our table, the Pandemic hit, everyone had to Shelter in Place, and the Oregon Symphony was put on furlough. Not a good time. Luckily, we had already made our selections, and Mark had extra time to work on our table. Instead of collaborating in person, we did it by photos and text, including the stain color and the walnut bow ties' layout.

No stain, but a clear finish seemed to be the best option. We tried a couple different layouts, but staggering 9 walnut bow ties - 5 down one side, 4 down the other seemed to be the perfect solution!

Since we are mostly home these days, no dinners out anymore, we use this table A LOT! We enjoy it’s solid feel, lovely wood grain and the beauty of the natural wood tones. It’s really soothing, inviting and reassuring. The Feng Shui Wood Element represents optimism, patience and altruism - good Ch’i to have around right now.

I wanted a table that would comfortably seat eight, so that when holidays came around we wouldn’t have to bring out a card table to add to the end of our old table. With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away now and the recommendation for smaller gatherings, this won’t be the year we try and seat 8 - 12. That said, when this Covid-19 fiasco is finally over, I’ll have my table ready to C E L E B R A T E !

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - Caryl

To learn more and connect feel free to reach out to me or Mark Dubac about building custom wood pieces that come to mind!

Marc Dubac, Windwoodmilling@gmail.com, Instagram.com/windwood_llc